Total loss evaluation and handling system and method

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the disclosure describe systems and methods for handling a loss involving an insured vehicle. A total loss evaluation and handling system receives vehicle telematics data from a vehicle telematics device that monitors the vehicle. The total loss evaluation and handling system determines that a loss involving the vehicle has occurred, and a total loss evaluator selects a set of total loss rules configured to determine whether the loss is a total loss. The total loss evaluator applies the total loss rules selected to the vehicle telematics data received and determines whether the loss is a total loss based on the total loss rules applied. A total loss handler obtains an estimated value of the vehicle and generates a settlement amount based on the estimated value. The total loss handler initiates a payment corresponding to the settlement amount as settlement for the total loss.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/227,542, filed Apr. 12, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/857,459, filed Apr. 24, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No.11,017,472, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/602,969, filed January 22, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,713,717. Thecontents of these applications are incorporated herein in their entiretyby reference.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No. 8,799,034 to Brandmaier, et al., entitled“Automated Accident Detection, Fault Attribution, and ClaimsProcessing,” which issued on Aug. 5, 2014, is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Handling insurance claims can be a time-consuming and complex processfor both the claimant and the claims processor. The claimant oftenstarts the process with a first notice of loss to a claims processingoffice associated with an insurance company. Usually, a claims adjusterwithin the claims processing office is assigned to the case to assessthe damage for which compensation is sought. The claims adjustmentprocess can involve paperwork processing, telephone calls, andpotentially face-to-face meetings between claimant and adjuster. Inaddition, time can elapse between a first notice of loss from theclaimant and the final settlement of the claim.

From these claims adjustment efforts insurance companies may compilelarge volumes of information regarding the circumstances that led to aloss and determinations of whether an estimated cost to repair a damageditem exceeds the value of the item. From this information insurancecompanies may be able to derive statistics that correlate thecircumstances resulting in a loss with the determination of whether thedamaged item should be repaired or simply replaced. Therefore a needexists for new approaches that leverage such information to streamlineclaims processing.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of the present disclosure inorder to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of thedisclosure. This summary is not an extensive overview of thedisclosures. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements orto delineate the scope of the claimed subject matter. The followingsummary merely presents some concepts of the disclosure in a simplifiedform as a prelude to the more detailed description provided below.

A first aspect described herein provides a computer-implemented methodof handling a loss involving an insured vehicle. A total loss evaluationand handling system may receive vehicle telematics data from a vehicletelematics device that monitors an insured vehicle. The total lossevaluation and handling system may determine that a loss involving thevehicle has occurred, and a total loss evaluator may select a set oftotal loss rules that are configured to determine whether the loss is atotal loss. The total loss evaluator may apply the total loss rulesselected to the vehicle telematics data received and determine whetherthe loss is a total loss based on the total loss rules applied. A totalloss handler may obtain an estimated value of the vehicle and generate asettlement amount based on the estimated value. The total loss handlermay then initiate a payment corresponding to the settlement amount to anindividual associated with the insured vehicle as settlement for thetotal loss.

A second aspect described herein provides a total loss evaluation andhandling system. The total loss evaluation and handling system mayinclude at least one processor and a vehicle telematics data store thatstores vehicle telematics data received from a vehicle telematics devicethat monitors an insured vehicle. A total loss evaluator may determinethat a loss involving the insured vehicle has occurred and select a setof total loss rules configured to determine whether the loss is a totalloss. The total loss evaluator may apply the total loss rules selectedto the vehicle telematics data received and determine that the loss is atotal loss based on the total loss rules applied. A total loss handlermay be configured to obtain an estimated value of the insured vehicleand generate a settlement amount based on the estimated value. The totalloss handler may then initiate a payment corresponding to the settlementamount to an individual associated with the insured vehicle assettlement for the total loss.

A third aspect described herein provides another computer-implementedmethod of handling a loss involving an insured vehicle. A total lossevaluation and handling system may receive vehicle telematics data froma vehicle telematics device that monitors an insured vehicle anddetermine that a loss involving the vehicle has occurred. The total lossevaluation and handling system may also receive, from a computing deviceoperated by an individual associated with the insured vehicle, vehiclecondition information that identifies damage that has occurred to one ormore portions of the insured vehicle. A total loss evaluator may selecta set of total loss rules configured to determine whether the loss is atotal loss and apply the total loss rules selected to the vehicletelematics data and vehicle condition information received. The totalloss evaluator may determine that the loss is a total loss based on thetotal loss rules applied. A total loss handler may obtain an estimatedvalue of the vehicle, generate a settlement amount based on theestimated value, and initiate a payment corresponding to the settlementamount to the individual as settlement for the total loss. The totalloss handler may also submit a car rental request to a car rental systemand a tow service request to a tow service system. The car rentalrequest and the tow service request may identify the geographic locationof the vehicle as indicated in the vehicle telematics data received. Thetow service request may also identify a unique identifier associatedwith the vehicle.

The details of these and other embodiments of the disclosure are setforth in the accompanying drawings and description below. Other featuresand advantages of aspects of the disclosure will be apparent from thedescription, drawings, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example and is notlimited in the accompanying figures in which like reference numeralsindicate similar elements.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an operating environment in which variousaspects of the disclosure may be implemented.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of workstations and servers that may be usedto implement the processes and functions of certain aspects of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example of a system for total lossevaluation and handling in accordance with various aspects of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 4 is another block diagram of the total loss evaluation andhandling system of FIG. 3 in accordance with additional aspects of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of example method steps for evaluating andhandling a total loss in accordance with various aspects of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6 is another flowchart of example method steps for evaluating andhandling a total loss in accordance with various aspects of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Systems and methods for evaluating and handling a total loss of aninsured vehicle are provided. In particular a total loss evaluation andhandling system as well as a method of evaluating and handling a lossassociated with a vehicle are described below. The total loss evaluationand handling system may be utilized to determine, in an automatedfashion, that a loss associated with a vehicle is a total loss of thevehicle and provide an insurance settlement to an individual associatedwith the vehicle, e.g., the vehicle owner. The total loss evaluation andhandling system advantageously enables evaluation and handling of theloss without physically inspecting the vehicle.

As described in further detail below, the total loss evaluation andhandling system applies a total loss ruleset to information related tothe operation of the vehicle when the loss occurred or the condition ofthe vehicle following the loss. Based on the total loss rules applied,the total loss evaluation and handling system may automatically concludewith a high degree of certainty that the cost to repair the damage tothe vehicle would exceed the estimated value of the vehicle. The totalloss evaluation and handling system may thus initiate a payment to anindividual associated with the vehicle as settlement for the losswithout the need to manually process the total loss claim. It will beappreciated with the benefit of this disclosure that, in some scenarios,the total loss evaluation and handling system may receive notice of theloss associated with a vehicle, determine the loss is a total loss, andprocess a payment as settlement for the total loss all before theindividual leaves the scene of a vehicle accident. Additional advantageswill be appreciated upon review of the additional disclosures set forthin further detail below.

In accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, methods,computer-readable media, and apparatuses are disclosed in which the lossof a vehicle may be evaluated to determine whether the loss is a totalloss of the vehicle. In certain aspects, a total loss evaluation andhandling system evaluates the loss associated with a vehicle and handlesproviding settlement for that loss. The automated process may utilizevarious hardware components (e.g., processors, communication servers,memory devices, sensors, etc.) and related computer algorithms toevaluate the loss associated with a vehicle, determine whether the lossis a total loss, and provide settlement for that loss to an individualassociated with the vehicle. Although the total loss evaluation andhandling system is described below in the context of the total loss of avehicle, aspects of the present disclosure may be employed to determinewhether the loss of other types of items is a total loss.

For convenience the following terminology is adopted in the presentdisclosure. The condition of an item refers to the status of variouscharacteristics associated with the item prior to any damage caused tothe item during a particular loss event. In the context of a vehicle,the condition of the vehicle may include the status of the paint job,tire wear, body panels, and other characteristics associated with thevehicle that will be appreciated with the benefit of this disclosure. Inthis regard, the condition of the item may indicate how well the itemwas cared for prior to the loss event. Damage to an item refers tochanges to the condition of the item during a particular loss event. Inthe context of a vehicle, damage to the vehicle may include changes tothe condition of the tires (e.g., punctured), changes to the conditionof the paint job (e.g., scratched), changes to the condition of the bodypanels (e.g., dented), and other changes to the condition of othercharacteristics associated with the vehicle that will be appreciatedwith the benefit of this disclosure. The state of the item may refer tothe status of the item, its individual components, and its correspondingcharacteristics before or after a loss event. In this regard, the stateof the item before a loss event refers to the condition of the item andthe state of the item following a loss event refers to both thecondition of the items as well as the damage that occurred during theloss event.

Following a loss event, the decision to repair the item or consider theitem a total loss depends on the state of the item following the lossevent. The condition of the item is used to determine the value of theitem. The decision of whether to repair the item or consider the item atotal loss thus depends on both the value of the item and the damage tothe item that occurs during a loss event. For a low-value item,relatively less damage needs to occur for the item to be considered atotal loss. For a high-value item, however, relatively more damage willneed to occur before the item is determined to be a total loss. Asdescribed in further detail below, various factors influence the valueof the item and thus the decision of whether the item should be repairedor considered a total loss. As used in this description, repairing anitem includes restoring the item to the state it was in prior to theloss event, i.e., returning the item to its condition before the lossevent occurred. Restoring an item may include replacing individualcomponents of the item that were damaged during the loss event. When theitem is considered to be a total loss, the item may be replaced orcompensation may be provided based on the value of the item prior to theloss event (e.g., as determined by the state of the item prior to theloss event).

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a total loss evaluation andhandling system 101 in communication system 100 that may be usedaccording to an illustrative embodiment of the disclosure. The totalloss evaluation and handling system 101 may have a processor 103 forcontrolling overall operation of the total loss evaluation and handlingsystem 101 and its associated components, including RAM 105, ROM 107,input/output module 109, and memory 115.

Input/output module 109 may include a microphone, keypad, touch screen,and/or stylus through which a user of the total loss evaluation andhandling system 101 may provide input, and may also include one or moreof a speaker for providing audio output and a video display device forproviding textual, audiovisual and/or graphical output. Software may bestored within memory 115 to provide instructions to processor 103 forenabling the total loss evaluation and handling system 101 to performvarious functions. For example, memory 115 may store software used bythe total loss evaluation and handling system 101, such as an operatingsystem 117, application programs 119, and an associated database 121.Processor 103 and its associated components may allow the total lossevaluation and handling system 101 to run a series of computer-readableinstructions to, e.g., obtain vehicle information related to theoperation and state of the vehicle, apply a total loss ruleset to thevehicle information, determine whether the loss of the vehicle is atotal loss, and initiate payment to an individual associated with thevehicle as settlement for the total loss. The processor 103 andcomputer-readable instructions may also facilitate the exchange ofelectronic communications between the total loss evaluation and handlingsystem 101 and various devices and systems located remotely relative tothe total loss evaluation and handling system.

The total loss evaluation and handling system 101 may operate in anetworked environment supporting connections to one or more remotecomputers, such as terminals 141 and 151. The terminals 141 and 151 maybe personal computers or servers that include many or all of theelements described above relative to the total loss evaluation andhandling system 101. Also terminal 141 and/or 151 may be sensors such ascameras and other detectors that allow damage related to the vehicle tobe assessed. The terminals 141 or 151 may also be mobile and/or portableterminals including various other components, such as a battery,speaker, and antennas (not shown).

The network connections depicted in FIG. 1 include a local area network(LAN) 125 and a wide area network (WAN) 129, but may also include othernetworks. When used in a LAN networking environment, the total lossevaluation and handling system 101 is connected to the LAN 125 through anetwork interface or adapter 123. When used in a WAN networkingenvironment, the total loss evaluation and handling system 101 mayinclude a modem 127 or other means for establishing communications overthe WAN 129, such as the Internet 131. It will be appreciated that thenetwork connections shown are illustrative and other means ofestablishing a communications link between the computers may be used.The existence of any of various well-known protocols such as TCP/IP,Ethernet, FTP, HTTP and the like is presumed.

Additionally, one or more application programs 119 used by the totalloss evaluation and handling system 101 according to an illustrativeembodiment of the disclosure may include computer executableinstructions for invoking functionality related to receiving a firstnotice of loss regarding a vehicle, obtaining vehicle informationrelated to the operation and state of the vehicle, applying a total lossruleset to the vehicle information, determining whether the loss is atotal loss based on application of the total loss ruleset to the vehicleinformation, obtaining an estimated value of the vehicle, generating andtransmitting a valuation report, generating and transmitting asettlement offer to settle the total loss of the vehicle, receivingacceptance or rejection of the settlement offer, initiating payment ofthe settlement amount, requesting a rental car, requesting tow service,and additional functionality that will be appreciated with the benefitof this disclosure.

The disclosure is operational with special-purpose computing systemenvironments or configurations that enable insurance companies toreceive a notice of loss, automatically determine whether the loss is atotal loss, and automatically provide payment as settlement for thetotal loss. Examples of computing systems, environments, and/orconfigurations that may be employed to implement aspects of thedisclosure include, but are not limited to, personal computers, servercomputers, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems,microprocessor-based systems, programmable consumer electronics, networkPCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and distributed computingenvironments that include any of the above systems or devices speciallyconfigured to carry out aspects of the disclosure.

The disclosure may be described in the context of computer-executableinstructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer.Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects,components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks orimplement particular abstract data types. The disclosure may also bepracticed in distributed computing environments where tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules may be located in both local and remote computer storage mediaincluding non-transitory memory storage devices, such as a hard disk,random access memory (RAM), and read only memory (ROM).

Referring to FIG. 2, a system 200 for implementing methods according tothe present disclosure is shown. As illustrated, system 200 may includeone or more workstations/servers 201. Workstations 201 may be local orremote, and are connected by one or more communications links 202 tocomputer network 203 that is linked via communications links 205 to thetotal loss evaluation and handling system 101. In certain embodiments,workstations 201 may run different algorithms used by the total lossevaluation and handling system 101 for evaluating and handling a totalloss, or, in other embodiments, workstations 201 may be different typesof sensors that provide information to the total loss evaluation andhandling system 101 for evaluating the circumstances of the loss and thedamage that has occurred to the vehicle. In system 200, the total lossevaluation and handling system 101 may be any suitable server,processor, computer, or data processing device, or combination of thesame specially configured to carry out aspects of the disclosure.

Computer network 203 may be any suitable computer network including theInternet, an intranet, a wide-area network (WAN), a local-area network(LAN), a wireless network, a digital subscriber line (DSL) network, aframe relay network, an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network, avirtual private network (VPN), or any combination of any of the same.Communications links 202 and 205 may be any communications linkssuitable for communicating between workstations 201 and the total lossevaluation and handling system 101, such as network links, dial-uplinks, wireless links, hard-wired links, etc.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an example of an implementation of a system 300for total loss evaluation and handling is shown. The system 300, in thisexample, includes a total loss evaluation and handling system 302 insignal communication with a claimant computing device 304 and a vehicle306 via respective networks 308. The total loss evaluation and handlingsystem 302 may be the same as or at least similar to the total lossevaluation and handling system 101 described above with reference toFIG. 1 and FIG. 2. As also noted above, the networks 308 may include oneor more WANs such as, e.g., the Internet, a cellular network, andcombinations of such networks.

The communications between the total loss evaluation and handling system302 and the claimant computing device 304 may include a notificationcorresponding to the first notice of loss, a set of questions regardingthe state of the vehicle following the loss (e.g., damage that hasoccurred to the vehicle), an indication that the loss is a total loss ofthe vehicle, an estimated value of the vehicle, a settlement offer forthe total loss, an indication of whether the claimant has accepted orrejected the settlement offer, and other types of information that willbe appreciated with the benefit of this disclosure.

The communications between the total loss evaluation and handling system302 and the vehicle 306 may include vehicle information related to theoperation and state of the vehicle as well as its various components. Asseen in FIG. 3, the vehicle 306, in this example, includes a telematicsdevice 310 and various sensors 312. The telematics device 310 may beinstalled at the vehicle 306 or attached to the vehicle, e.g., to an OBD(on-board diagnostics) port. The telematics device 310 may be configuredto communicate with the sensors 312 of the vehicle 306 and other vehiclesub-systems to collect data that describes the operation and state ofthe vehicle and its components. Such data may include, for example,engine RPM, emissions control, coolant temperature, vehicle speed,timing advance, throttle position, and oxygen sensing, the vehicleidentification number (VIN), the current odometer value, parameteridentifiers (PIDs), timestamp information, and the like. The sensors 312may provide sensor data indicating the status and conditions of varioussystems, components, and devices of the vehicle including, for example,the engine, transmission, chassis, body, wheels, tires, and the like.The sensors 312 may also include sensors that can detect state of thepanels of the vehicle body, e.g., damage in the form of deformations,dents, punctures, and the like. The sensors 312 may include, forexample, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, angular positionsensors, linear position sensors, rotational motion sensors, inertialsensors, fluid sensors, and the like. The sensors 312 may also include apositioning sensor that determines the geographic location of thevehicle and generates positioning data during operation of the vehiclesuch as, e.g., a GPS device. The positioning data generated by thepositioning sensor may also include or be used to derive vehicle speed.The telematics device 310 may receive the sensor data from the sensorsand include the sensor data in the telematics data transmitted to thetotal loss evaluation and handling system 302.

The telematics device 310 may include software 314 and hardware 316 suchas, e.g., an accelerometer, firmware, a data store, a wirelesstransmitter, and the like. The telematics device 310 may be configuredto collect the telematics data during operation of the vehicle andprovide the telematics data to the data store for storage. Thetelematics device 310 may continuously transmit collected sensor data tothe total loss evaluation and handling system 302 at periodic intervalsduring operation of the vehicle (e.g., every 10-1000 milliseconds) inreal-time or near real-time. The wireless transmitter of the telematicsdevice 310 may be, e.g., a GSM modem (Global System for MobileCommunications). The accelerometer of the telematics device 310 may be,e.g., a three-axis (triaxial) accelerometer that measures accelerationalong three different axes at a predetermined frequency, e.g., 4 Hertz(Hz). Accordingly the acceleration data may be indicative of right/leftacceleration, forward/backward acceleration, and up/down acceleration.

The telematics device 310 may also be configured to analyze thetelematics data collected in order to detect collision events involvingthe vehicle. The telematics data stored by the telematics device 310 mayinclude acceleration data generated by an accelerometer during operationof the vehicle. The telematics device 310 may analyze the accelerationdata (e.g., at the software 314 or hardware 316) to determine whether acollision has occurred. The telematics device 310 may determine that acollision has occurred based on an observed change in acceleration,e.g., a rapid acceleration or a rapid deceleration. In some exampleimplementations, the telematics device 310 may determine that acollision has occurred upon observing a change in velocity of around 8.0kilometers per hour occurs within an interval of around 150milliseconds, i.e., a change in velocity of around 4.97 miles per hourwithin an interval of around 0.15 seconds. The telematics device 310 mayalso determine whether a collision event has occurred based on thevehicle speeds received from the positioning sensor or derived frompositioning data received from the positioning sensor. Accordingly thetelematics data transmitted to the total loss evaluation and handlingsystem 302 may include an indication that a collision event has beendetected as well as details associated with the collision event, e.g.,the observed change in velocity.

As described in further detail below, the total loss evaluation andhandling system 302 may determine whether a loss is a total loss based,at least in part, on the telematics data associated with a detectedcollision event. In some example implementations, receipt of telematicsdata that identifies a collision has occurred may serve as the firstnotice of loss regarding the vehicle. Commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No.8,799,034 to Brandmaier et al. entitled “Automated Accident Detection,Fault Attribution, and Claims Processing” (incorporated by reference)describes additional techniques for collecting telematics data duringoperation of a vehicle and detecting vehicle collision events.

The total loss evaluation and handling system 302, in this example,includes a total loss evaluator 318 and a total loss handler 320 as wellas various data stores 322 (collectively) that store the data used toautomatically evaluate and handle a total loss. The total lossevaluation and handling system 302, in this example, includes a datastore 322 a that stores the vehicle telematics data 324 received fromthe vehicle 306, a data store 322 b that stores the total loss ruleset326 used to automatically determine whether a loss is a total loss, adata store 322 c that stores vehicle state information 328 indicatingthe state of a vehicle and its various components, and a data store 322d that stores vehicle valuation information used to estimate the valueof the vehicle and generate a settlement offer for the total loss.Although the total loss evaluation and handling system 302, in thisexample, includes multiple data stores 322, other implementations of atotal loss evaluation and handling system may store the vehicletelematics data 324, total loss ruleset 326, vehicle state information328, and vehicle valuation information at a single data at fewer datastores, e.g., a single data store. In some implementations, for example,a total loss evaluation and handling system may not store the vehicletelematics data 324 but rather retrieve vehicle telematics data from aseparate vehicle telematics collection and storage system that storesthe telematics data received from the vehicle 306. In another exampleimplementation, the total loss evaluation and handling system may notstore the vehicle valuation information 330 but rather retrieve vehiclevaluation information from a separate vehicle valuation system thatprovides valuation information for vehicles. Other configurations andarrangements of the total loss evaluation and handling system will beappreciated with the benefit of this disclosure and may be selectivelyemployed.

In some example implementations, the total loss evaluation and handlingsystem 302 is a special-purpose computing device programmed withinstructions that, when executed, perform functions associated withcollecting telematics data associated with an item, determining that aloss associated with the item has occurred, applying a set of total lossrules to determine whether the loss is a total loss, and providingcompensation for the total loss. In these example implementations, thetotal loss evaluator 318 and the total loss handler 320 of the totalloss evaluation and handling system 302 correspond to particular sets ofinstructions embodied as software programs residing at the system.

In other example implementations, the total loss evaluation and handlingsystem 302 is a collection of special-purpose computing devices that areinterconnected and in signal communication with each other. In theseexample implementations, the total loss evaluator 318 and the total losshandler 320 of the total loss evaluation and handling system 302respectively correspond to a special-purpose computing device programmedwith a particular set of instructions that, when executed, performrespective functions associated with collecting telematics dataassociated with an item, determining that a loss associated with theitem has occurred, applying a set of total loss rules to determinewhether the loss is a total loss, and providing compensation for thetotal loss. Such special-purpose computing devices may be, for example,application servers programmed to perform the particular set offunctions.

The vehicle telematics data 324 may include the telematics data receivedfrom the vehicle 306 as described above. The vehicle state information328 may include information describing the state of the vehicle and itsvarious components. The vehicle state information 328 may include stateinformation corresponding to or derived from the vehicle telematics data324 as well as state information received from an individual in responseto various inquiries regarding the state of the vehicle. Collectingvehicle state information 328 from an individual associated with thevehicle will be described in further detail below. The vehicle stateinformation 328 may include the state of various vehicle components andsub-systems, e.g., an identification of which vehicle components andsub-systems have been damaged and an indication of the extent of thedamage. The vehicle state information 328 may also includeidentification of the various characteristics of the vehicle, e.g., themake of the vehicle, the model of the vehicle, the year of the vehicle,the current vehicle mileage, the state of vehicle components before andafter the loss, and the options the vehicle includes. Examples ofvehicle components include, the seats, the tires, the windows, themirrors, the body panels, and the like. Vehicle options may include,e.g., sunroof, leather seats, cruise control, power windows, powerlocks, air conditioning, power seats, radio, disc player, navigationsystem, entertainment system, and other types of vehicle components thatmay need to be repaired in the event of a collision. The options avehicle includes may affect the value of the vehicle. Vehicle valuationinformation 330 may include information used to determine vehiclevalues, e.g., vehicle makes, vehicle models, vehicle years, vehiclemileage, vehicle options, the condition of interior and exterior vehiclecomponents, and tables of corresponding vehicle values. Vehiclevaluation information 330 may also include the salvage value of thevehicle if the vehicle is determined to be a total loss.

The total loss rule set 326 may be a collection of one or more totalloss rules that define what combinations of vehicle telematics data 324and vehicle state information 328 constitute a total loss of a vehicle.A total loss rule may be configured such that the determination of atotal loss is based solely on the vehicle telematics data 324, basedsolely on the vehicle state information 328, or based on a combinationof vehicle telematics data and vehicle state information. An analysis ofpreviously collected vehicle telematics data and vehicle stateinformation may reveal thresholds and combinations of vehicle telematicsinformation and vehicle state information that are highly correlativewith determinations of total losses. The correlations between thesethresholds and combinations of vehicle telematics data and vehicle stateinformation may be leveraged to configure the total loss rules. Inoperation, a loss may be determined to be a total loss when the vehicletelematics data or vehicle state information received matches thevehicle telematics data or vehicle state information defined in thetotal loss rule.

As one example, an analysis of previously collected vehicle telematicsdata and previous total loss determinations may reveal that x% of losses(e.g., 90% of losses) are total losses where a vehicle experienced adeceleration of more than y meters/second² (m/s²) during a vehiclecollision. Accordingly, the total loss ruleset 326 may include a totalloss rule configured such that a loss is determined to be a total lossin response to receipt of vehicle telematics data 324 indicating thevehicle 306 experienced a deceleration that exceeded a predetermineddeceleration threshold, e.g., more than y m/s². An example of adeceleration threshold at which a total loss is determined is adecoration of 147 m/s². In some example implementations, a total lossmay automatically be determined to have occurred where the telematicsdata that indicates a deceleration at or above this threshold occurred.In other example implementations, deceleration at or above thedeceleration threshold may be one of many factors used to determine thata total loss occurred. Additional factors that may indicate a total lossoccurred when considered in combination with each other include thenumber of damaged body panels, airbag deployment, leaking fluids, andthe like. Some of the information corresponding to these total lossfactors may be gathered via the telematics data, and other informationcorresponding to these total loss factors may be gathered via a lossreport provided via an online interface or via a voice interaction. Asnoted above, the state of the vehicle prior to the loss (i.e., thecondition of the vehicle) affects the value of the vehicle and thus thedetermination of whether the damage that occurred to the vehicle rendersthe vehicle a total loss. Factors affecting the value of the vehicle andthus the determination of whether the vehicle is unrepairable includethe make, model, mileage, options, the degree of damage to theundercarriage or drivetrain, maintenance, and other conditions of thevehicle. Maintenance information may be received from third-partymaintenance systems in signal communication with the total lossevaluation and handling system 302. Information for these factors may begathered via different channels such as through the collection oftelematics data, conversations with the owner of the vehicle, or throughphysical inspection of the vehicle.

The total loss rules of the total loss ruleset 326 may also includetotal loss rules similarly configured to determine that a loss is atotal loss in response to receipt of vehicle telematics data indicatinga vehicle experienced an acceleration of more than y m/s², e.g., due toan impact. Some of the total loss rules based on a detected impact atthe vehicle 306 may additionally be configured to determine whether aloss is a total loss based on where the impact occurs, e.g., a sideimpact of the vehicle. The vehicle telematics data 324 received from thevehicle 306 may include data that identifies the location at the vehiclewhere the impact occurred. Total loss rules of the total loss ruleset326 may include additional criteria for automatically determiningwhether a loss is a total loss such as, for example, the impact force.Accordingly, the total loss ruleset 326 may include a total loss ruleconfigured such that a loss is a total loss in response to receipt ofvehicle telematics data 324 indicating the vehicle 306 experienced afront, rear, or side impact force that exceeded a predetermined impactforce threshold, e.g., more than z Newtons (N) of impact force. Thetotal loss rules may also be configured to determine whether a loss is atotal loss based on the angle of the impact, e.g., head-on or at anoblique angle. As noted above, an analysis of previously collectedvehicle telematics data and previous total loss determinations mayreveal that x% of losses are total losses where the vehicle experiencedan acceleration of y m/s² or, additionally or alternatively, the vehicleexperienced an impact of z N at a particular location. As noted above,an example deceleration threshold that may be utilized, alone or incombination with other factors, to determine that a total loss hasoccurred may be a deceleration rate of 147 m/s².

As another example, an analysis of previously collected vehicletelematics data and previous total loss determinations may reveal thatx% of losses are total losses where a vehicle experienced at least ynumber of rollovers (e.g., at least 2 rollovers) during a vehiclecollision. Accordingly, the total loss ruleset 326 may also include atotal loss rule configured such that a loss is determined to be a totalloss in response to receipt of vehicle telematics data 324 indicatingthe vehicle 306 experienced at least y number of rollovers. Similarly,an analysis of previously collected telematics data are previous totalloss determinations may reveal that x% of losses are total losses wherea vehicle experienced freefall for more than y seconds (e.g., more than5 seconds). Accordingly, the total loss ruleset 326 may include a totalloss rule configured such that a loss is determined to be a total lossin response to receipt of vehicle telematics data 324 indicating thevehicle 306 experienced freefall for more than y seconds.

As a further example, an analysis of previously collected vehicle statedata and previous total loss determinations may reveal that x% of lossesare total losses where vehicle state data indicates the combination ofvehicle component A, vehicle component B, and vehicle component C havebeen damaged. The components may be internal to the vehicle (e.g.,vehicle sub-systems) or external to the vehicle (e.g., vehicle panels,windows, and the like.). Accordingly, the total loss rule set 326 mayalso include a total loss rule configured such that a loss is determinedto be a total loss in response to receipt of vehicle state information328 indicating that at least vehicle component A, vehicle component B,and vehicle component C have been damaged.

Total loss rules of the total loss ruleset 326 may also be configured todetermine whether a loss is a total loss based on combinations ofvehicle telematics data 324 and vehicle damage information 328. As anexample, a total loss rule of the total loss ruleset 326 may beconfigured to determine a loss is a total loss in response to receipt ofvehicle telematics data 324 indicating the vehicle 306 experienced adeceleration of more than y m/s² and receipt of vehicle stateinformation 328 indicating that vehicle component A, vehicle componentB, and vehicle component C have been damaged.

Some of the total loss rules of the total loss ruleset 326 may beconfigured such that they are applied regardless of vehicle type. Forexample, total loss rules that determine whether a loss is a total lossbased on a deceleration threshold may be applicable to all types ofvehicles. Other total loss rules of the total loss ruleset 326 may onlybe applicable to a defined vehicle make, a defined vehicle model, adefined vehicle year, and combinations of the vehicle make, model, andyear. Accordingly, the total loss rules selected and applied to theloss, may include total loss rules applicable to all vehicles as well astotal loss rules applicable to the particular make, model, and year ofthe vehicle associated with the loss.

As noted above, some total loss rules of the total loss ruleset 326 maydetermine whether a loss is a total loss based solely on vehicletelematics data 324 received from the vehicle while other total lossrules may determine whether a loss is a total loss based, at least inpart, on vehicle state information 328 received from an individualassociated with the vehicle. Accordingly, some of the total loss rulesmay be immediately applied in response to receipt of vehicle telematicsdata 324 that includes a notification that a collision has occurred.Other total loss rules may be applied once the individual associatedwith the loss has finished providing the vehicle state information 328indicating the damage caused to the vehicle 306. In someimplementations, the collection of vehicle state information 328 may beomitted if the loss is determined to be a total loss based solely on thevehicle telematics data 324 received.

The total loss evaluator 318 may be configured to determine whether theloss is a total loss by applying total loss rules from the total lossruleset 326. The total loss evaluator 318 may initiate the total lossdetermination procedure in response to receipt of a first notice ofloss. As noted above, the first notice of loss (FNOL) may be received invehicle telematics data 306 from the vehicle or from an individualassociated with the vehicle, e.g., the vehicle owner or the driver. Theindividual may provide the first notice of loss via the claimantcomputing device 304, e.g., using a web browser to access a webinterface provided by the total loss evaluation and handling system 302or using a mobile application to access a mobile interface provided bythe total loss evaluation and handling system. The FNOL may includeinformation identifying the vehicle make, model, and year or informationthat may be used to lookup the vehicle make, model, and year (e.g., aunique identifier such as the VIN, license plate number, an insurancecustomer number, an insurance policy number, and the like). The totalloss evaluator 318 may also be configured to select the total loss rulesfrom the total loss ruleset 326 to apply. As noted above, the total lossevaluator 318 may select total loss rules applicable to all types ofvehicles as well as the total loss rules applicable to the vehicle make,model, and year identified.

The total loss evaluator 318 may retrieve vehicle telematics data 324from the data store 322 a and vehicle state information 328 from thedata store 322 c when applying the total loss rules. The total lossevaluator 318 may determine whether a loss is a total loss when thevehicle telematics data 324 or vehicle state information 328 satisfiesthe criteria defined in at least one of the total loss rules applied. Insome example implementations, the total loss evaluator 318 may determinethat a loss is a total loss when the vehicle telematics data 324 orvehicle state information 328 satisfies the criteria respectivelydefined in multiple total loss rules. The total loss evaluator 318 maybe configured to generate an indication of whether the loss isdetermined to be a total loss (e.g., YES/NO). The total loss evaluator318 may be configured to initiate standard processing of an insuranceclaim if the loss is not determined to be a total loss. If the totalloss evaluator 318 determines that the loss is a total loss, then thetotal loss evaluator may initiate valuation of the vehicle andcompensation for the total loss as described in further detail below.

The total loss handler 320 may be configured to collect vehicle stateinformation 328 in response to receipt of a first notice of loss and maybe configured to carry out vehicle valuation and compensation if theloss is determined to be a total loss. As noted above, vehicle stateinformation 328 indicating the damage to the vehicle may be receivedfrom the individual associated with the vehicle. The total loss handler320 may facilitate the collection of vehicle state information 328 fromthe individual through a set of status inquiries 332 provided to theclaimant computing device 304. The set of status inquiries 332 may bepresented to the individual at the claimant computing device 304, e.g.,in a webpage at a web browser or at an interface screen of a mobileapplication. In response to the set of inquiries 332, the total losshandler 320 may receive a set of status responses 334 from theindividual. The total loss handler 320 may forward the set of statusresponses 334 to the data store 322 c for storage as vehicle stateinformation 328.

The set of status inquiries 332 may include standard inquiries for eachnotice of loss received and may, additionally or alternatively, includeinquiries that are based on vehicle telematics data 324. As an example,the vehicle telematics data 324 received from the vehicle 306 mayidentify various vehicle components that are damaged. The total losshandler 320 may thus select status inquiries related to those vehiclecomponents such that the individual may confirm the damage to thosecomponents or provide additional information regarding the damage tothose components. The set of status inquiries 332 may also includeinquiries regarding the circumstances of the loss, e.g., vehicle speedat the time of a collision, traffic conditions, weather conditions, andthe like. The set of status inquiries 332 may include possible answersthe individual may select to identify the status of the vehicle and itscomponents, e.g., on a scale of 1-5 or descriptors such as “excellent,”“good,” “fair,” and “poor.” The set of status inquiries 332 may alsoinclude images depicting damage to a vehicle of the same make, model,and year. The images may depict increasing degrees of damage to areas ofthe vehicle or components of the vehicle that have been identified asdamaged, e.g., from the vehicle telematics data 324 received from thevehicle 306 or from vehicle state information 328 received from theindividual. For example, the images may depict increasing degrees ofdeformations to the vehicle body and the individual may select the imagethat best depicts the deformations of the vehicle 306. As anotherexample, the images may depict increasing degrees of wear to the fabricof the interior components of a vehicle, and the individual may selectthe image that best depicts the damage to the fabric of the interior ofthe vehicle 306. The individual may submit the selected image as part ofthe set of status responses 334. The total loss evaluator 318 maydetermine whether a loss is a total loss based, at least in part, on theimages selected by the user as best depicting the damage to the vehicle306.

The status inquiries 332 provided to the individual may include bothinitial status inquiries and follow-up status inquiries. The total losshandler 320 may be configured to select follow-up status inquiries basedon initial status responses received from the individual. The follow-upstatus inquiries may request that the individual address anyinconsistencies detected during a comparison of the initial statusresponses to, e.g., the vehicle telematics data 324 received. As anexample, the total loss handler 320 may request, in a follow-up statusinquiry, that the user inspect a particular vehicle component thevehicle telematics data 324 identifies as damaged but was omitted in theinitial status responses received from the individual. As anotherexample, the total loss handler 320 may request, in a follow-up statusinquiry, confirmation of vehicle speed where the speed indicated by theuser significantly differs from the speed indicated in the vehicletelematics data 324. In some implementations, the total loss handler maybase the status responses available for selection on the telematics data324 received. For example, if the vehicle telematics data 324 indicatesthe vehicle speed was about 55 mile per hour (mph) when the vehiclecollision occurred, the total loss handler 320 may include “about 35mph,” “about 45 mph,” “about 55 mph,” and “about 65 mph” as possiblestatus responses to a status inquiry related to vehicle speed.

The total loss handler 320 may also receive information from remotelylocated sources that is compared against the status responses 334received from the individual. With additional reference to FIG. 4, thetotal loss evaluation and handling system 302 is in signal communicationwith various systems that are located remotely relative to the totalloss evaluation and handling system. The total loss evaluation andhandling system 302 may exchange electronic communications with thesesystems via a network 308, e.g., the Internet. Accordingly theelectronic communications may include HTTP requests and HTTP responses.As seen in FIG. 4, the remote systems may include a traffic system 350,a weather system 352, a vehicle valuation system 354, a banking system356, a tow service system 358, and a car rental system 360.

The total loss handler 320 of the total loss evaluation and handlingsystem 302 may submit requests for traffic information to the trafficsystem 350. The request may indicate the geographic area in which theloss occurred and a time around which the loss occurred, e.g., asindicated by vehicle telematics data collected or vehicle stateinformation received. The traffic information received from the trafficsystem 350 may indicate the volume of traffic at the identified time andlocation (e.g., none, light, medium, heavy, etc.). The total losshandler 320 may compare the traffic information received from thetraffic system 350 to traffic information received from the individualregarding the volume of traffic when the loss occurred. Similarly thetotal loss handler 320 may submit requests for weather information tothe weather system 352. The request may likewise indicate the geographicarea in which the loss occurred and the time around which the lossoccurred. The weather information received from the weather system 352may indicate the weather states at the identified time and location(e.g., clear, raining, snowing, icy, etc.). The total loss handler 320may also compare the weather information received from the weathersystem 352 to weather information received from the individual regardingthe weather conditions when the loss occurred.

In some example implementations, the total loss handler 320 may beconfigured to reject automatic compensation for a loss if there are toomany discrepancies between the vehicle telematics data 324 collectedfrom the vehicle 306 and the vehicle state information 328 received fromthe individual in status responses 334 or if the individual cannotresolve such discrepancies with follow-up status responses. By comparingthe information received from an individual in the set of statusresponses 334 to information collected from other sources such as thevehicle telematics device 310 and third-party remote systems 350 and352, the individual is advantageously encouraged to be accurate inresponding to the set of status inquiries 332.

The total loss handler 320 may also be configured to determine the valueof the vehicle. The total loss handler 320 may determine the value ofthe vehicle based on vehicle valuation information 330 stored at thedata store 322 d of the total loss evaluation and handling system 302and, additionally or alternatively, based on vehicle valuationinformation received from a third-party vehicle valuation system such asvehicle valuation system 354. As noted above, valuation of the vehiclemay be based on the make, model, year, mileage, and vehicle options. Thetotal loss handler 320 may be configured to generate a valuation reportindicating how the vehicle value was determined and transmit the vehiclevaluation report to the claimant computing device 304 for review by theindividual associated with the vehicle. The individual may have theopportunity to accept or object to the vehicle value indicated in thevehicle valuation report. The individual may also have the opportunityto submit additional information regarding the vehicle that was notconsidered in the initial vehicle valuation. For example the initialvaluation may not have included one or more vehicle options resulting ina relatively lower vehicle value. The individual may identify theadditional vehicle options the vehicle includes, and the total losshandler 320 may recalculate the vehicle value based on those additionalvehicle options and generate a new valuation report.

The total loss handler 320 may also be configured to generate asettlement offer based on the value of the vehicle and provide thesettlement offer to the individual as compensation for the total loss.The total loss handler 320 may transmit the settlement offer to theclaimant computing device 304 for consideration by the individual. Ifthe individual does not accept the settlement offer as compensation forthe total loss of the vehicle, then an insurance company may handle theloss through typical claims processing with a claims adjuster. If theindividual does accept the settlement offer as compensation for thetotal loss, then the total loss handler 320 may automatically initiate apayment to the individual in the amount of the settlement offer. Thetotal loss handler 320 may for example, submit a request to the bankingsystem 356 to transfer the settlement amount from a bank accountassociated with an insurance company to a bank account associated withthe individual. Settlement for the total loss may also be in the form ofa credit for goods or services such as insurance services.

The value of the settlement offer may be at least equal to the acceptedvehicle value. In some example implementations, the total loss handler320 may increase the settlement value when the individual agrees toaccept credit for future insurance products rather than a cash payment.For example, the settlement value may be x% above (e.g., 10% above) theaccepted vehicle value when the settlement is credit for futureinsurance products. An insurance policy may also include terms allowingan insurance company to automatically determine whether a loss is atotal loss, automatically calculate the value of the vehicle, andautomatically provide payment as settlement for the total loss withoutinput or feedback from the insurance customer. To incentivize insurancecustomers to accept these terms, the insurance policy may also includeterms indicating that the payment provided as settlement for the totalloss may be x% above the calculated vehicle value. By automating totalloss determinations, vehicle valuation, and settlement payments, thetotal loss evaluation and handling system advantageously streamlineshandling notices of loss that are highly likely to be total losses. As aresult, more resources may be advantageously available to process othertypes insurance claims where the assessment of claims adjusters may benecessary.

The total loss handler 320 of the total loss evaluation and handlingsystem 302 may also facilitate other aspects of handling a total loss ofa vehicle. Since a vehicle may be undriveable after a total loss, thetotal loss handler 320 may be configured to handle obtaining a carrental for the driver and a tow service to retrieve the vehicle. Thetotal loss handler 320 may, for example, submit a car rental request tothe car rental system 360. The car rental request may indicate theidentity and location of the vehicle driver, which the total losshandler 320 may obtain from the vehicle telematics data 324 received. Inresponse to receipt of the car rental request at the car rental system360, a car rental service may deliver a rental car to the location ofthe driver. Similarly the total loss handler 320 may submit a towservice request to the tow service system 358. The tow service requestmay indicate the location of the vehicle as well as the make, model,color, license plate, VIN, and so forth. In response to receipt of thetow service request at the tow service system 358, a tow service maydispatch a tow truck to retrieve the damaged vehicle.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a flowchart of example method steps forevaluating and handling a loss in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure is shown. A total loss evaluation and handling system mayperform these example steps to automatically determine that a loss is atotal loss, calculate a vehicle value, and initiate a payment assettlement for the total loss based, at least in part, on input orfeedback from an individual associated with the vehicle.

An total loss evaluation and handling system may receive a first noticeof loss (block 502) as well as vehicle information related to theoperation and state of the vehicle (block 504), e.g., vehicle telematicsdata and vehicle state data as described above. The total lossevaluation and handling system may apply one or more total loss rules tothe vehicle information (block 506) and determine whether the loss is atotal loss based on the total loss rules (block 508). If the total lossevaluation and handling system does not determine the loss is a totalloss (block 510:N), then a standard claims processing procedure may beinitiated to handle the loss (block 512).

If, however, the total loss evaluation and handling system determinesthe loss is a total loss (block 510:Y), then the total loss evaluationand handling system may determine the value of the vehicle based on thevehicle information received (block 514) and provide a valuation reportto an individual associated with the vehicle (block 516). If theindividual does not accept the valuation of the vehicle (block 518:N),then the total loss evaluation and handling system may receivesupplemental vehicle information and update the valuation of the vehiclebased on the supplemental information received (block 520) and providean update valuation report to the individual. When the individualaccepts the vehicle valuation (block 518:Y), the total loss evaluationand handling system may generate and provide a settlement offer to theindividual associated with the vehicle (block 522). If the individualdoes not accept the settlement offer (block 524:N), then a standardclaims processing procedure may be initiated to handle the loss (block512).

If, however, the individual does accept the settlement offer (block524:Y), then the total loss evaluation and handling system may initiatea payment to the individual for the settlement amount (block 526), e.g.,by submitting a payment request to a banking system at which theindividual maintains a bank account. The total loss evaluation andhandling system may also submit a car rental request to a car rentalsystem (block 528) and submit a tow service request to a tow servicesystem (block 530) as also described above.

In FIG. 6, another flowchart of example method steps for evaluating andhandling a total loss in accordance with various aspect of the presentdisclosure is shown. A total loss evaluation and handling system mayperform these example steps to determine that a loss is a total loss,calculate a vehicle value, and initiate a payment as settlement for thetotal loss without input or feedback from an individual associated withthe vehicle.

A total loss evaluation and handling system may receive vehicletelematics data collected during operation of a vehicle (block 602). Thetotal loss evaluation and handling system may apply one or more totalloss rules to the vehicle telematics data received (block 604) asdescribed above to detect a loss and determine whether the loss is atotal loss. If the total loss evaluation and handling system does notdetermine that the loss is a total loss (block 606:N), the total lossevaluation system may continue to receive and process vehicle telematicsdata. When the total loss evaluation and handling system does determinethat a total loss has occurred (block 606:Y), the total loss evaluationand handling system may retrieve vehicle information used to determinethe value of the vehicle (block 608) and estimate the value of thevehicle based on the information retrieved (block 610) as describedabove.

The total loss evaluation and handling system may then provide anotification to an individual associated with the vehicle indicatingthat the loss is a total loss (block 612) as well as a settlement offerbased on the value of the vehicle that has been determined (block 614).If the individual does not accept the settlement offer (block 616:N),then a standard claims processing procedure may be initiated to handlethe loss (block 618). If, however, the individual does accept thesettlement offer (block 616:Y), then the total loss evaluation andhandling system may initiate a payment to the individual for thesettlement amount (block 620), e.g., by submitting a payment request toa banking system at which the individual maintains a bank account. Thetotal loss evaluation and handling system may also submit a car rentalrequest to a car rental system (block 622) and submit a tow servicerequest to a tow service system (block 624) as also described above.

Aspects of the disclosure have been described in terms of illustrativeembodiments thereof. Numerous other embodiments, modifications, andvariations will occur to persons of ordinary skill in the art from areview of this disclosure. For example, one of ordinary skill in the artwill appreciate that the steps discussed herein may be performed inother than the recited order, and that one or more steps may be optionalin accordance with aspects of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A telematics-based method of detecting andprocessing a loss involving an insured vehicle comprising: receiving, bythe total loss evaluation and handling system, vehicle telematics datafrom a vehicle telematics device on the insured vehicle; receiving, bythe total loss evaluation and handling system, vehicle state data from aclaimant computing device; wherein the vehicle state data comprisesinformation corresponding to damage of at least one component of theinsured vehicle; determining, by the total loss evaluation and handlingsystem, that the loss of the insured vehicle has occurred based on thevehicle telematics data and the vehicle state data received; applying,by the total loss evaluation and handling system, a first total lossrule of a set of total loss rules to a portion of the vehicle telematicsdata; determining, by the total loss evaluation and handling system,that the portion of the vehicle telematics data exceeds a predeterminedthreshold; applying, by the total loss evaluation and handling system, asecond total loss rule of the set of total loss rules to a portion ofthe vehicle state data; determining, by the total loss evaluation andhandling system, that the portion of the vehicle state data exceeds apredetermined threshold; based on determining that the portion of thevehicle telematics data exceeds a predetermined threshold and theportion of the vehicle state data exceeds a predetermined threshold,determine, by the total loss evaluation and handling system, that theloss is a total loss; and generating, by the total loss evaluation andhandling system and based on determining that the loss is a total loss,a settlement amount.
 2. The telematics-based method of claim 1, whereinthe vehicle telematics data comprises information corresponding to animpact force experienced by the insured vehicle.
 3. The telematics-basedmethod of claim 2, wherein the first total loss rule is configured todetermine whether the loss is a total loss based on the impact forceexperienced by the insured vehicle.
 4. The telematics-based method ofclaim 1, wherein the component of the insured vehicle comprises at leastone of seats, tires, windows, air conditioning, navigation system, andentertainment system.
 5. The telematics-based method of claim 1, whereinthe vehicle telematics data comprises a make, a model, and a year of theinsured vehicle.
 6. The telematics-based method of claim 1, wherein thevehicle state data comprises information corresponding to the damage ofa first component, a second component, and a third component of theinsured vehicle.
 7. The telematics-based method of claim 1, furthercomprising: receiving, by the total loss evaluation and handling system,prior vehicle state information corresponding to percentage of totalloss of vehicles substantially similar to the insured vehicle;analyzing, by the total loss evaluation and handling system, the priorvehicle state information; and determining, by the total loss evaluationand handling system, the predetermined threshold corresponding to thevehicle telematics data.
 8. The telematics-based method of claim 1,wherein the vehicle telematics data comprises information correspondingto deceleration of the insured vehicle.
 9. The telematics-based methodof claim 1, further comprising: establishing, by the total lossevaluation and handling system, a wireless data connection with one ormore weather systems; receiving, by the total loss evaluation andhandling system while the wireless data connection is established andfrom the one more weather systems, weather information corresponding toa geographic location of where the loss occurred; and applying, by thetotal loss evaluation and handling system, a third total loss rule ofthe set of total loss rules to a portion of the weather informationreceived.
 10. A telematics-based total detection and processing systemcomprising: at least one processor; a vehicle telematics data store; avehicle state data store; a total loss evaluator configured to: receivevehicle telematics data from a vehicle telematics device on a vehicleand store the vehicle telematics data on the vehicle telematics datastore; receive vehicle state data from a claimant computing device;wherein the vehicle state data comprises information corresponding tothe damage of at least one component of the vehicle and storing thevehicle state data on the vehicle state data store; determine that aloss of the vehicle has occurred based on the vehicle telematics dataand the vehicle state data received; apply a first total loss rule of aset of total loss rules to a portion of the vehicle telematics data;determine that the portion of the vehicle state data exceeds apredetermined threshold; apply a second total loss rule of the set oftotal loss rules to a portion of the vehicle state data; determine thatthe portion of the vehicle state data exceeds a predetermined threshold;based on determining that the portion of the vehicle telematics dataexceeds a predetermined threshold and the portion of the vehicle statedata exceeds a predetermined threshold, determine that the loss is atotal loss; and generate by the total loss evaluation and handlingsystem and based on determining that the loss is a total loss, asettlement amount.
 11. The telematics-based total detection andprocessing system of claim 10, wherein the total loss evaluator isfurther configured to: receive, by the total loss evaluation andhandling system, prior vehicle state information corresponding topercentage of total loss of vehicles substantially similar to thevehicle; analyze, by the total loss evaluation and handling system, theprior vehicle state information; and determine, by the total lossevaluation and handling system, the predetermined thresholdcorresponding to the vehicle telematics data.
 12. The telematics-basedtotal detection and processing system of claim 10, wherein the totalloss evaluator is further configured to: establish, by the total lossevaluation and handling system, a wireless data connection with one ormore weather systems; receive, by the total loss evaluation and handlingsystem while the wireless data connection is established and from theone more weather systems, weather information corresponding to ageographic location of where the loss occurred; and apply, by the totalloss evaluation and handling system, a third total loss rule of the setof total loss rules to a portion of the weather information received.13. The telematics-based total detection and processing system of claim10, wherein the vehicle telematics data comprises a make, a model, and ayear of the vehicle.
 14. The telematics-based total detection andprocessing system of claim 10, wherein the component of the vehiclecomprises at least one of seats, tires, windows, air conditioning,navigation system, and entertainment system.
 15. The telematics-basedtotal detection and processing system of claim 10, wherein the vehicletelematics data comprises information corresponding to an impact forceexperienced by the vehicle.
 16. The telematics-based total detection andprocessing system of claim 15, wherein the first total loss rule isconfigured to determine whether the loss is a total loss based on theimpact force experienced by the vehicle.
 17. A telematics-based totaldetection and processing apparatus comprising: one or more processors;and a memory storing computer-executable instructions, which, whenexecuted by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processorsto: receive vehicle telematics data from a vehicle telematics device ona vehicle and store the vehicle telematics data on a vehicle telematicsdata store; receive vehicle state data from a claimant computing device;wherein the vehicle state data comprises information corresponding tothe damage of at least one component of the vehicle and storing thevehicle state data on a vehicle state data store; determine that a lossof the vehicle has occurred based on at least one of the vehicletelematics data or the vehicle state data; apply a total loss rule of aset of total loss rules to at least one of a portion of the vehicletelematics data or the vehicle state data; determine that the portion ofthe at least one of the portion of the vehicle telematics data or thevehicle state data exceeds a predetermined threshold; based ondetermining that at least one of the portion of the vehicle telematicsdata or the vehicle state data exceeds a predetermined threshold,determine that the loss is a total loss; and generate, based ondetermining that the loss is a total loss, a settlement amount.
 18. Thetelematics-based total detection and processing apparatus of claim 17,wherein the one or more processors are further caused to: receive, bythe total loss evaluation and handling system, prior vehicle stateinformation corresponding to percentage of total loss of vehiclessubstantially similar to the vehicle; analyze, by the total lossevaluation and handling system, the prior vehicle state information; anddetermine, by the total loss evaluation and handling system, thepredetermined threshold corresponding to the vehicle telematics data.19. The telematics-based total detection and processing apparatus ofclaim 17, wherein the one or more processors are further caused to:establish, by the total loss evaluation and handling system, a wirelessdata connection with one or more weather systems; receive, by the totalloss evaluation and handling system while the wireless data connectionis established and from the one more weather systems, weatherinformation corresponding to a geographic location of where the lossoccurred; and apply, by the total loss evaluation and handling system, athird total loss rule of the set of total loss rules to a portion of theweather information received.
 20. The telematics-based total detectionand processing apparatus of claim 17, wherein the one or more processorsare further caused to: determine that the loss of the vehicle hasoccurred based on the vehicle telematics data and the vehicle state datareceived; apply a first total loss rule of a set of total loss rules toa portion of the vehicle telematics data; determine that the portion ofthe vehicle state data exceeds a predetermined threshold; apply a secondtotal loss rule of the set of total loss rules to a portion of thevehicle state data; and determine that the portion of the vehicle statedata exceeds a predetermined threshold.